This website expresses our OPINIONS. Weekley is also currently named along with other SWAT members in a federal lawsuit, filed in 2009, claiming they pointed guns at children and shot two dogs during a raid in 2007 that netted a man who is now serving seven to 15 years in prison for armed robbery. Police sources also have told Local 4 that DPD?s SWAT team has been put on hold until further notice. Jones was convicted of second-degree murder in Je'Rean's death, though he was found not guilty of first-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm or using a firearm during a felony. The Michigan Supreme Court last September cleared the way for a trial or settlement when it declined to hear an appeal after two courts ruled a jury could decide whether Weekley's actions amounted to gross negligence. Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. A protester holds a sign referencing Aiyana Stanley-Jones at a rally for Trayvon Martin in Detroit on July 14, 2013. When Weekley regained sight, he realized there was a person on the couch instead of what he'd originally thought was a pile of clothes. Unfortunately, a beautiful little girl, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, 7, lost her life because of his reckless and violent actions. Weekley had been facing a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for the manslaughter charge. Find the perfect carolina edgecombe stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. DPD Spokesman John Roach said the Detroit Police Department SWAT team member is 34-year-old officer Joseph Weekley. All too often we see police officers murder the innocent only to be exonerated by a grand jury or acquitted during a trial. He says he accidentally fired his gun during. JOSEPH WEEKLEY, INC. JOSEPH WEEKLEY, INC. is a California Stock Corporation - Ca - General filed on August 12, 2003. 0:22 After two hung juries, the Detroit police officer charged in the death of 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be tried again. Police, being filmed by A&E's "The First 48," were looking for Chauncey Owens, who has since been convicted of killing 17-year-old Je'Rean Blake outside a nearby party store. Then-Police Chief Warren Evans resigned from his post several months later, after authorities discovered he was pitching a reality show called "The Chief.". Weekley claims his MP5 sub-machine gun fired when Aiyana's grandmother, Mertila Jones, slammed his gun with her hand. At the time, Weekley said, he didn't even realize he had fired his gun, thinking the shot had been fired by someone else. I understand there is a certain part of the public that is crying foul on this. Westbrook and his wife sued Weekley and other members of the SRT for assault, false imprisonment and gross negligence, alleging that officers came into the home without warning, shot and killed the family's two dogs for no reason and pointed guns at a child and infant, according to the complaint. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Mertilla Jones testified that Owens lived in the upper unit with her daughter, LaKrystal Sanders. During the trial, the prosecution sought to show that it was against procedure for Weekley to have his finger on the trigger of the gun and that not following his training caused the girl's death. Weekley was first tried in Stanley-Jones' death last year; a hung jury caused a mistrial. The city of Detroit has reached an $8.25 million settlement with the family of Stanley-Jones, who was accidentally killed by Weekley during a 2010 raid. Weekley had not been on the force since 2010 when he shot a sleeping child in the head during a botched raid executed on the wrong home. A 17-question survey given to prospective jurors on Monday included four questions related to the Ferguson shooting, according to The Detroit News. The target, Chauncey Owens, was eventually arrested and convicted of killing a 17-year-old boy. Daily Mail Reporter Despite our concerns about lawyers in general, We suggest that anyone with legal questions consult an attorney for an answer, particularly after reading anything on this website. HuffPost reporter Radley Balko wrote last year that reality shows profiling police actions support a growing "police-industrial-entertainment complex": Over the last decade or so, the cable dial has been stuffed full of programming that serves to make us more comfortable with police units that treat neighborhoods like battlefields. Jones told a different story at Weekley's trial last year. Fishman said that for involuntary manslaughter to be proved, the prosecution would need to demonstrate that his client acted in a "grossly negligent manner" in the circumstances leading to Stanley-Jones' death. DETROIT, MI -- It's been five years since Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley led a SWAT team in search of a murder suspect and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Officer Joseph Weekley fatally shot the young girl in what he claimed was an alleged struggle with Jones's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, though she says she had just reached over to protect the. Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Weekley's submachine gun fired seconds after a stun. Weekley says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. They found Owens upstairs and arrested him. After the mistrial, Dominika Stanley, Aiyana's mother stayed in the courtroom, wiping away tears as she shook her head and held onto a tissue. College No schools to show High school Went to Eastern Montgomery Photos See all photos Others Named Joseph Weekley Joey Weekley Joe Weekley Loud voices could be heard in the jury room in Wayne County, Michigan a few hours before jurors threw in the towel in the case of Joseph Weekley on Tuesday and were dismissed. The story of Aiyana Stanley-Jones' death really starts with Je'Rean Blake, a 17-year-old who was killed less than two days earlier. Though many details about the events surrounding Aiyana's death were revealed in the 2013 trial, a number of questions remain unanswered. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Lexipol. Search query After two trials without result, police officer Joseph Weekley will not face another trial for fatally shooting Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a sleeping seven-year-old, during a 2010 raid filmed by a . The city of Detroit has reached an $8.25 million settlement with the family of Stanley-Jones, who was accidentally killed by Weekley during a 2010 raid. Meanwhile, Weekley released a statement shortly before the mistrial was declared. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Police said Weekley came into contact with Aiyana's grandmother, Mertilla Jones, when they busted through the door in the early hours of Sunday morning and his weapon accidentally fired. "I pulled the trigger of that gun, unintentionally, and I didn't even know it at the time," Weekley said in cout. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. Weekley was charged with involuntary manslaughter, but a judge dismissed that charge during a second trial in 2014. It is not clear what his role in the nonfatal shooting was, but Godbee said he was cleared and it was determined that he acted appropriately. The jurors, asked that their names not be made public as they explained what happened over four days of deliberations. Jones maintains his innocence. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This was an emotional case, the jury foreman told the media afterward. There were no threats. Then, officers stormed the house and once inside, a round from Weekley's sub-machine gun struck Aiyana in the head while she slept on a couch. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The only thing he saw upon entering the home on Lillibridge in Detroit was a "pile of clothes" on a couch by the entrance and a 19-inch TV flickering in the dark room. But the shot killed Aiyana. The raid occurred after midnight, and Weekley was first through the door of the Stanley-Jones home on the east side of Detroit, as a film crew shadowing the officers filmed for a reality television show. The hyper-aggressive tactics were made worse by the fact that police had taken it upon themselves to raid both sides of a duplex, when their suspect was only known to reside in one of them. ID 321.) If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia announced the settlement with the family of Aiyana Stanley-Jones four days before a civil trial was to begin. Jose Guerena, 26, was a Marine Corps veteran who'd served two tours of duty in Iraq. Roland Lawrence of the Justice for Aiyana Jones Committee explained only one juror was African American and that he had 'no confidence in this jury' once he realized the racial disparity. Weekley shot and killed Aiyana Stanley-Jones on the night of May 16, 2010, as officers executed a search warrant on the duplex her family lived in. Detroit police officer who killed sleeping seven-year-old no longer facing charges. Last week, she was escorted from the courtroom after an emotional outburst directed at Weekley during her testimony. They sent three notes, the last one indicating they still couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on the third day of deliberations, despite encouragement from Judge Cynthia Gray Hathaway. He says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. The city of Detroit has reached an $8.25 million settlement with the family of Stanley-Jones, who was accidentally killed by Weekley during a 2010 raid. The officers also claimed Few had a weapon, that was also a lie. The settlement still needs approval from the Detroit City Council. The pair later exchanged the marriage vows and tied the knot on June 22, 2019, in Denver, Florida. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The girl was shot in the head while she slept on a couch. Prosecutor Rob Moran argued: 'His training says, keep your finger off the trigger. Before Weekley's trial, potential jurors were asked questions related to the Ferguson shooting and if they had seen reports that might influence their decision in the case. He was accused of being 'grossly negligent' in how he handled his submachine gun as his black-clad, masked and armed unit stormed the Detroit home to capture a suspect in May 2010. Officer Joseph Weekley still faces a charge of reckless discharge of a firearm in the death of Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Daily Mail Reporter, 2010 raid was being filmed for reality TV show 'The First 48 Hours', Body found shot dead near home of New England Patriots tight end identified as another football player in semi-professional league, Parents beware: Children could be playing a Simpsons game that has 'hidden anti-gun messages' and 'mocks NRA', Would you want to live next door to this man? Officer Joseph Weekley was charged in connection with Jones' death. and manufacturers. A stun grenade was thrown through a window to confuse anyone inside. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The family's attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, said the settlement should allow the family, the city and Weekley to move on from the tragedy. When asked by prosecutors if knowing children were in the house would have forced police to change raid tactics, Davis responded: 'Probably not.'. DETROIT, MI -- It's been five years since Detroit Police Officer Joseph Weekley led a SWAT team in search of a murder suspect and fatally shot 7-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones. Detroit Officer Joseph Weekley is charged with involuntary manslaughter. According to the Greenhouse and Stafford, the officers decided to conduct a traffic stop because Few had an outstanding warrant. Local 4 obtained a video of Weekley in which he worked to help organize a charitable event called SWAT For Tots. A member of an elite Detroit police unit is set to stand trial again for killing a seven-year-old girl during a 2010 raid on her house that was captured on video by a reality TV crew. Joseph Weekley charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of Aiyana Jones after he was 'grossly negligent' with handling gun during a raid, Claims pulled gun trigger accidentally during scuffle with her grandmother. Officer Weekley, who is white, is still free. Belinda Robinson for MailOnline Killing of Aiyana Jones. Case in point: Officer Joseph Weekley. Charges officially dismissed against officer Joseph Weekley WXYZ 7 Action News is metro Detroit's leading source for breaking news, weather warnings, award-w. A man rides a bicycle past the house where Aiyana Stanley-Jones was killed in Detroit, Monday, May 17, 2010. Weekley squeezed his eyes to try and regain his sight, he told the court, and heard a high-pitched moan, like someone "out of breath" coming from beneath the pile of clothes. The Detroit police officer who killed seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones will not be retried. They're looking to protect," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing Wednesday. the group of 12 was almost split down the middle over whether to acquit or convict Weekley on a misdemeanor charge of careless, reckless or negligent use of a firearm causing death. On the night of the shooting on May 16, 2010, police and the Special Response Team went to an address in Detroit's east side to carry out a search for a murder suspect. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. They came to kill, and they killed a 7-year-old.'. He says he accidentally fired his gun during a struggle with Aiyana's grandmother. Part of HuffPost Black Voices. Officers had been. The jury foreman, a pastor said:This has not been an easy case.. Weekley's colleagues gave him the nickname "The Brain," according to The Detroit News, because he was always thinking. FILE - In this June 18, 2013 file photo, Detroit police officer Joseph Weekley stands in Judge Cynthia Hathaway's courtroom at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice during his criminal trial in the 2010 killing of Aiyana Stanley-Jones during a police raid in Detroit. He also could have been cleared of all charges. That the ten-year-anniversary of Aiyana's death passed largely unacknowledged, . interacts online and researches product purchases found guilty of manslaughter and attempted manslaughter. Photo by Paul Warner/Getty Images. The justice system did not work in this case, he said. and In a statement released yesterday, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said after two mistrials,. Aiyana MoNay Stanley-Jones July 20 2002 May 16 2010 was a seven-year-old African-American girl from Detroits East Side who was shot in the neck and Joseph Weekley, a member of an elite police unit, was the first officer through the door of her home during a chaotic search for a murder suspect. Similar feelings were shared when police officer Jeronimo Yanez was acquitted by a grand jury after he shot and killed Philando Castile, . Download the Yahoo News app. The girl's father, Charles Jones, was convicted of second-degree murder for providing the gun used to kill Blake. 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